COOKIE PUZZLE RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Line 13x9-inch pan with foil so edges extend over 2 sides of pan. Cut cookie dough into 4 pieces. In pan, press dough evenly in bottom. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool completely in pan, about 20 minutes.
• Use foil to lift cookie from pan; carefully remove foil. Place cooled cookie on large serving platter or foil-covered 14x10-inch sheet of cardboard. To create puzzle, use cookie cutters to cut a variety of shapes in baked cookie. Carefully remove shapes from background.
• Divide frosting into several small microwavable bowls. Tint frostings as desired with food color. Microwave 1 bowl of frosting at a time for 10 seconds; stir until smooth.
• Carefully frost and decorate cut shapes and background as desired. Let stand until set. Return shapes to puzzle.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl knead flour into sugar cookie dough. Divide dough into 6 portions. On an ungreased cookie sheet, pat each portion into a 5-inch square. Press a well-floured 3- to 4-inch Halloween cookie cutter into the square (use smaller cutters, if desired). Carefully remove cookie cutter without removing dough. Using a table knife, cut outside portion of square into large puzzle pieces.
• In a small mixing bowl beat egg yolks and water. Divide mixture among 3 or 4 small bowls. In each bowl, add 2 to 3 drops of liquid food coloring or desired amount of paste food coloring in desired color; mix well.
• Brush dough puzzle pieces with different colors of egg yolk mixture. Apply to cookie dough with small clean paintbrush. If mixture thickens while standing, stir in water, one drop at a time.
• Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 7 to 8 minutes or until bottoms of cookies just start to brown and centers are set. While still warm, carefully recut pieces with cookie cutter and knife. Trim edges as needed. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; cool completely.